Fans of the royal family have been invited to a monarchist’s museum extravaganza to celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

The outpouring of support from the nation and further afield over the past two weeks has inspired County Durham’s Anita Atkinson to open her Weardale museum to the public on Saturday.

Ms Atkinson, 56, who has been collecting royal memorabilia all her life and has around 12,000 royal-related items in her shrine. She rarely opens it to the public but is making a special exception this weekend to herald the start of the Third Carolean Age under King Charles III.

Her dedication to the royal family has been highlighted by news and media channels around the world, with her fame now stretching beyond her home region of County Durham.

Read more: Fans ask County Durham royal superfan for selfies after Queen's death

The Northern Echo: Monarchist Anita Atkinson hosted a talk at the pop up Royal Tea Room in Bishop Auckland earlier this year as part of the nationwide Jubilee celebrationsMonarchist Anita Atkinson hosted a talk at the pop up Royal Tea Room in Bishop Auckland earlier this year as part of the nationwide Jubilee celebrations (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

She explained: “My museum isn’t open to the public originally and I only open it depending on demand, occasionally for a special event or for foreign visitors.

“But I am opening it on Saturday because I need to get my mojo back and close that reign and open up the new one along with the new King. And to show people that the Monarchy is seamless, it doesn’t matter if a Monarch dies.

“I will be opening it just so people can come and have a cup of tea if they want, and maybe it’s a place where people can come and visit, and I’ll bring you into the next chapter of our British lives because it affects us all.”

The museum will be open between 11am-4pm and entry is free.

The Northern Echo: Anita has invited anyone round for a cup of tea and achance to view some of her thousands of trinkets and memorabilia Anita has invited anyone round for a cup of tea and achance to view some of her thousands of trinkets and memorabilia (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“I’ve been talking about the Queen and her family’s history since 1981, Anita said, noting how she is now into her fourth decade or superfan status.

“I’ve always been talking about the Queen in the present tense, and I’ve now got to carry on her story but in the past tense.

“Now, I’ve got to support the King and tell the real story, and the truth, which is not what we’ve always had.”

The Northern Echo: SARAH CALDECOTTSARAH CALDECOTT (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

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